Publications
Publications in our field that SCERN members (in bold) have been involved in, since the network's establishment in 2024
Enyinnaya, J. C., Kelp, N., Anderson, A. A., Ferrell, T., & Cagle, S. (2026). Examining quality information flow in rural
communities during disasters: Findings from community leaders in emergency response. Journal of Risk Research, 29(3), 376–390. https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2026.2636965
Anderson, A. A., Abrams, K., Bice, C., Ford, B., Guajardo, M., Magzamen, S., McGuire, B., Pierce, J., & Fischer, E. V.
(2026). Tailoring Air Quality Communication for Outdoor Workers: Effects on Information Seeking. Social Marketing Quarterly, 15245004261424898. https://doi.org/10.1177/15245004261424898
Kelp, N. C., Paredes, G. C., Ea, L., McCollough, K., Weber, L., & Gibson, J. P. (2026). Students as science
communicators: Using podcast creation and reflection via collaborative autoethnography to develop students’ science communication skills. Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education, 27(1), e00222-25. https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.00222-25
Besley, J. C., Benitez Gonzalez, A., & Tiffany, L. A. (2026). Differentiating behavioral trust and trustworthiness
beliefs to improve science communication practice and research. Current Opinion in Psychology, 67, 102192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2025.102192
Jensen, J. L., Johanson, S., Sorensen, J. B., Woolley, I. A., & Meadows, L. (2025). Using Stones for Bridges, Not
Barriers: How Effective Dialogue Can Restore Harmony between Religion and Evolution. BioScience, biaf202. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biaf202
Spengler, M., & Kelp, N. (2026). Examination of undergraduate learning assistants’ science communication and
science teaching approaches. Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education, 27(1), e00254-25. https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.00254-25
Molder, A. L., Anderton, B., Howell, E., Goodwin, S., Behrman, S., & Ellefson, M. (2025). Use of personal storytelling
in educational videos promotes student engagement and science identity in undergraduate biology courses. Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education, 26(3), e00084-25. https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.00084-25 Featured in a SCERN Talk
Chalgren, L., Anderson, A. A., Abrams, K., Guajardo, M., Magzamen, S., Pierce, J. R., McGuire, B., Ford, B., & Fischer,
E. V. (2025). Development to distribution: A co-creation approach to wildfire smoke communications. Environmental Research Letters, 20(12), 124011. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ae1b1c
Besley, J. C., Benitez, A., O’Connell, K., Downs, M. R., & Mancilla, C. L. (2025). Exploring the role of partnerships in
enabling public engagement by Long-Term Ecological Research programs. Journal of Science Communication, 24(07). https://doi.org/10.22323/157720251011080807
Alam, I., Bilinski, T., Bernot, K. M., Cotter, R., Ortiz-Zuazaga, E., Vance-Chalcraft, H. D., & Corwin, L. A. (2025). The
Sense of Belonging Quotient: Relating Sense of Belonging to Predictors of Scientific Civic Engagement and Science Identity in Civically Engaged Curricula. CBE—Life Sciences Education, 24(4), ar52. https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.24-06-0165
Foerster, T. A., Chalgren, L., Abrams, K., Bice, C., & Singer, M. (2025). Informing or Influencing? A Content Analysis
of Wildlife Feeding Deterrence Messages in U.S. National Park Communications. Journal of Interpretation Research, 30(2), 183–203. https://doi.org/10.1177/10925872251388948
Bowen, C. D., Coscia, K. A., Aadnes, M. G., Summersill, A. R., & Barnes, M. E. (2025). Undergraduate Biology
Students’ Climate Change Communication Experiences Indicate a Need for Discipline-Based Education Research on Science Communication Education about Culturally Controversial Science Topics. CBE—Life Sciences Education, 24(2), ar24. https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.23-07-0134 Featured in a SCERN Talk
Bice, C., Anderson, A. A., Abrams, K. M., Ford, B., Magzamen, S., Pierce, J. R., & Fischer, E. V. (2025). Air Aware: A
theory-driven, co-designed air quality communication campaign to promote health protective behaviors among outdoor workers. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 53(6), 561–575. https://doi.org/10.1080/00909882.2025.2564074
Cagle, S. M., Schad, C. M., Wolfe, A. K., Bristol, M., Roundy, C. M., & Kelp, N. C. (2025). Place-based communication
methods and prior knowledge increase public perceptions regarding West Nile virus risk and personal protective behaviors in Colorado. BMC Public Health, 25(1), 3618. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-24831-5
Mede, N. G., Cologna, V., Berger, S., Besley, J. C., Brick, C., Joubert, M., Maibach, E. W., Mihelj, S., Oreskes, N.,
Schäfer, M. S., Aziz, N. I. A., Abdulsalam, S., Shamsi, N. A., Aczel, B., Adinugroho, I., Alabrese, E., Aldoh, A., Alfano, M., Ali, I. M., … Elbaek, C. T. (2025). Public Communication about Science in 68 Countries: Global Evidence on How People Encounter and Engage with Information about Science. Science Communication. https://doi.org/10.1177/10755470251376615
Lindenfeld, L., Besley, J. C., Zheng, X., Dudo, A., & Newman, T. P. (2025). Science Communication for Scientists:
Linking Strategy with Creativity, Practice, and Respect (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003493938 Featured in a SCERN Talk
Ruesch, J. M., & Sarvary, M. A. (2025). Instructors as communication strategists: Using multimodal communication
to implement a new course policy on assignment extension due dates. Frontiers in Education, 10, 1558758. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1558758
Howk, A., McMillan, R., & Kelp, N. (2025). Utilizing of Q methodology to delineate STEM student perspectives
regarding science communication about scientific uncertainty in socioscientific issues. International Journal of Science Education, Part B, 15(4), 702–719. https://doi.org/10.1080/21548455.2025.2488410
Howell, E. L., Behrman, S. L., Kirschner, E., & Goodwin, S. S. (2025). Storytelling in Science Film: Narrative
Engagement Relates to Greater Knowledge, Interest, and Identification With Science. Science Communication, 47(2), 211–249. https://doi.org/10.1177/10755470241269885 Featured in a SCERN Talk
Molder, A. L., Howell, E., Goodwin, S., Behrman, S., & Mathews, S. (2025). Engaging short film activity that supports
learning, science identity, and nature of science comprehension. Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education, 26(1). https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.00227-24 Featured in a SCERN Talk
Bennett, N., Dudo, A., & Besley, J. (2025). Science Communication Spaces as “Pockets of Belonging”: Inviting in a
Plurality of Science Identities for Scientists-in-Training. Science Communication, 47(2), 250–275. https://doi.org/10.1177/10755470241268587 Featured in a SCERN Talk
Cacciatore, M. A., Yeo, S. K., Becker, A. B., Anderson, A. A., & Patel, K. (2025). Cultivating Interest in Science
Through Humor: Mirth as a Leveler of Gaps in Science Engagement. Environmental Communication, 19(8), 1526–1535. https://doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2025.2477264
Cagle, S. M., Anderson, A. A., & Kelp, N. C. (2025). Stop the spread: Empowering students to address
misinformation through community‐engaged, interdisciplinary science communication training. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 62(3), 721–755. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.21971
Machrone, A., Duenas, M., Acosta, A., Alvarez, R., Bruce-Opris, H., Castellano, R., Chatzikyriakidou, K., Concepcion, K.,
Colon, J., Hawks, S., Knekta, E., Mardini, V., Moralejo, L., Mousavi, S., Duarte, L. N., Perez, A., Russoniello, E., & McCartney, M. (2025). What Happens When Undergraduate Biology Students Meet with Professional Scientists to Discuss Research? An Exploratory Investigation into Scientific Discourse, Motivation, and Sense of Belonging. CBE—Life Sciences Education, 24(1), ar6. https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.24-08-0209
Kelp, N. (2025). Inclusive science communication as a tool to address One Health challenges. BioScience, biaf011.
Mede, N. G., Cologna, V., Berger, S., Besley, J., Brick, C., Joubert, M., Maibach, E. W., Mihelj, S., Oreskes, N., Schäfer,
M. S., Van Der Linden, S., Abdul Aziz, N. I., Abdulsalam, S., Shamsi, N. A., Aczel, B., Adinugroho, I., Alabrese, E., Aldoh, A., Alfano, M., … Zwaan, R. A. (2025). Perceptions of science, science communication, and climate change attitudes in 68 countries – the TISP dataset. Scientific Data, 12(1), 114. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-024-04100-7
Akin, H. (2025). FIRST Portfolio—ALEC 207: Communicating Science with Public Audiences. UNL Faculty Course
Portfolios. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/prtunl/249/
Besley, J. C., Yeo, S. K., Newman, T. P., & Dudo, A. (2024). The challenge of identifying behavioral goals for
communication in the context of basic science. Journal of Science Communication, 23(07). https://doi.org/10.22323/2.23070402 Featured in a SCERN Talk
Du, X., Peterman, K., Besley, J., & Black-Maier, A. (2024). Strategic planning and evaluation for effective public
engagement. Journal of Science Communication, 23(07). https://doi.org/10.22323/2.23070801
Kokkinias, K., Pruneski, K., Wrighton, K., & Kelp, N. (2024). Examination of public perceptions of microbes and
microbiomes in the United States reveals insights for science communication. PLOS ONE, 19(10), e0312427. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0312427
Fisher, R., Kocher, M., Clapp, J., & Merkle, B. G. (2024). Meaningful Results with Limited Resources: Evidence from a
Program to Support Graduate Students’ Scholarly Writing. College Teaching, 0(0), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/87567555.2024.2407121
Broder, E. D., Merkle, B. G., Balgopal, M. M., Weigel, E. G., Murphy, S. M., Caffrey, J. J., Hebets, E. A., Sher, A. A.,
Gumm, J. M., Lee, J., Schell, C. J., & Tinghitella, R. M. (2024). Use your power for good: Collective action to overcome institutional injustices impeding ethical science communication in the academy. BioScience, 74(11), 747–769. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biae080
Worthington, D., Graham, B., Gilliard, H., & Kelp, N. C. (2024). Development of a Scale to Measure Planned
Behavior in Inclusive Science Communication: Validity Evidence in Undergraduate STEM Students. CBE—Life Sciences Education, 23(4), ar48. https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.24-01-0012 Featured in a SCERN Talk
Hautea, S., Besley, J. C., & Choung, H. (2024). Communicating trust and trustworthiness through scientists’
biographies: Benevolence beliefs. Public Understanding of Science, 33(7), 872–883. https://doi.org/10.1177/09636625241228733
Akin, H., Burkhart-Kriesel, C. A., Emery, M., Larson, K., Lubben, B., McElravy, L. J., Meyer, T., & Vogt, R. J. (2024).
Research Report: Civil Discourse. Nebraska Rural Poll. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1039&context=ruralpoll
Parks, E. S., Faw, M. H., & Lane, L. R. (2024). Listening: The Key Concepts. Routledge.
Landrum, A. R., Janét, K., Opat, K., & Akin, H. (2024). When Science Journalism is Awesome: Measuring Audiences’
Experiences of awe from Reading Science Stories. Journalism Practice, 18(7), 1722–1738. https://doi.org/10.1080/17512786.2022.2116724
Besley, J. C., & Downs, M. R. (2024). Ecologists Prioritize Listening to Community Perspectives When They See the
Benefit: Norms and Self-Efficacy Beliefs Appear to Have Little Impact. Science Communication, 46(4), 511–537. https://doi.org/10.1177/10755470241239940 Featured in a SCERN Talk
Kelp, N. C., Anderson, A. A., & Enyinnaya, J. C. (2024). All STEM students should learn inclusive science
communication. Nature Human Behaviour, 8(7), 1232–1235. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-01918-4
Reed, M. S., Merkle, B. G., Cook, E. J., Hafferty, C., Hejnowicz, A. P., Holliman, R., Marder, I. D., Pool, U., Raymond, C.
M., Wallen, K. E., Whyte, D., Ballesteros, M., Bhanbhro, S., Borota, S., Brennan, M. L., Carmen, E., Conway, E. A., Everett, R., Armstrong-Gibbs, F., … Stroobant, M. (2024). Reimagining the language of engagement in a post-stakeholder world. Sustainability Science, 19(4), 1481–1490. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-024-01496-4
Boman, C. D., Schneider, E. J., & Akin, H. (2024). Examining the mediating effects of sincerity and credibility in crisis
communication strategies. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 29(4), 550–566. https://doi.org/10.1108/CCIJ-09-2022-0118
Dunk, R. D. P., Malmquist, S. J., Prescott, K. K., Ewell, S. N., Henning, J. A., & Ballen, C. J. (2024). How Do Students
Critically Evaluate Outdated Language That Relates to Gender in Biology? CBE—Life Sciences Education, 23(2), ar24. https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.23-07-0125
Vance-Chalcraft, H. D., Smith, K. C., Allen, J., Bowser, G., Cooper, C. B., Jelks, N. O., Karl, C., Kodner, R., & Laslo, M.
(2024). Social Justice, Community Engagement, and Undergraduate STEM Education: Participatory Science as a Teaching Tool. CBE—Life Sciences Education, 23(2), es3. https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.23-06-0123
Hoskins, N. S. (2024). ‘Everybody Else in That Room’: Support dilemmas and benefits of supportive communication
in batterer intervention. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 52(3), 277–296. https://doi.org/10.1080/00909882.2024.2337369
Bice, C., Anderson, A. A., Abrams, K. M., & Long, M. (2024). Breathing on the job: Investigating predictors of air
quality protective actions and information seeking among outdoor workers. Journal of Communication in Healthcare, 17(2), 214–222. https://doi.org/10.1080/17538068.2024.2320478
Bennett, N., Dudo, A., Besley, J., & Irizarry, Y. (2024). Race-evasive ideology in U.S.-based science communication
fellowship director discourse. Journal of Science Communication, 23(01). https://doi.org/10.22323/2.23010206
Enyinnaya, J. C., Anderson, A. A., Kelp, N. C., Long, M., & Duncan, C. G. (2024). The Social Ecology of Health
Beliefs and Misinformation Framework: Examining the impact of misinformation on vaccine uptake through individual and sociological factors. Vaccine, 42(3), 455–463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.01.001
Poole, B., Larson, R., & Jensen, J. (2024). Hispanic immigrants’ linguistic and cultural barriers to HPV vaccine
acceptance. The Journal of Immunology, 212(1_Supplement), 0645_5473-0645_5473. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.212.supp.0645.5473